Gun issue in Canada

[jefnvk]

Wow. I just returned from Canada, and I never realize dhow big the gun issue is there. I dunno if it is always like that, or just because of the election, but it had to be the biggest news story. More news time was probably spent on gun violence than any other single topic, which is suprising considering the Canadian Junior hockey team was going for the world championship.

The coverage of the news suprised me, though. Gone was the 'ban them all' remarks. Sure, there were some of those, but I was suprised at the number of people proposing things like after school programs and work programs for teens, as a way to get them off the streets and become productive. There were pro-gun people given equal time on TV to explain our side, too.

The locals suprised me, too. While we were jumping all over each other (me and my buddies) to correct their views of gun violence (one attributed it to the easy and cheap supply of alcohol in America, I won't even go into how Canada sucks in that aspect), most were pretty understanding it was not the gun, but the person.

Honestly, while Canada has its problems, I think there is hope for the place.

EDIT: Oh, BTW, this was in Berrie, which is about an hour north of Toronto.

 

[SSN Vet]

Oh Canada!!

If you want to get your but in real trouble ... and I mean ... REAL trouble. Make the mistake of crossing the Canadian border with a hand gun!

What's a UPer doing in Quebec, anyway

(that from a former LPer who almost went to Tech....but chose Moo-U instead)

 

[jefnvk]

Not Quebec, Ontario.

And Fishing. Unless Quebec has a great lake for fishing, I see no need to go there.

 

[SDC]

I think this has finally shaken the complacency of a lot of gun owners up here; the story given by the "gubberment" all along has been that "no, no, registration won't lead to confiscation, you can trust us", but that went out the window the second that the Prime Weasel (Paul Martin) said that he would prohibit all handguns if re-elected (like THAT wil somehow stop these gang-bangers from getting all they want ). Luckily, most people up here are starting to realize that putting these scumbags on double-secret probation doesn't work, and that making something that's already (for all intents and purposes) super-duper, extra-special, double-stamp, no-quitsies illegal (and we really mean it this time) isn't going to do ANYTHING useful.

 

[Lucky]

I know people who are voting NDP rather than Liberal. That's quite a leap, for those who don't understand it. NDP isn't bad people, they're probably the most honest, but they've usually not been considered anywhere near a credible alternative to the Liberals.

On the other hand, if the Conservatives had been a little smarter in their unification they would have won the polls already.

It's so much anger by so many rational and reasonable people and media outlets, imo, that is swaying so many LLL's to vote otherwise.

About Liberals and guns, they will never have, ever, in the future. There's no way, ever, that they could get my vote. Anyone who could suggest banning guns with such casual and god-like nonchalance, it's infuriating.

Whole damn country is too big to be ruled by one man, needs to split-up and have the feds in control only of key things.

 

[jefnvk]

Whole damn country is too big to be ruled by one man, needs to split-up and have the feds in control only of key things.

Isn't that the truth?

Like I said, I was impressed by not how many pro or anti gun people there are, but how many people have common sense. I can't say I have ever heard 'I don't like guns, but obviously banning them isn't working' here in America. Hardly do you hear of bills being pushed through to get kids off the streets, not guns.

Don't get me wrong, I could come up with a whole list of things I don't like about Canada, but in the average person I do see hope.

 

[Ryder]

making something that's already (for all intents and purposes) super-duper, extra-special, double-stamp, no-quitsies illegal (and we really mean it this time) isn't going to do ANYTHING useful.

LoL That's just because your lawmakers haven't been able to locate all the evil people yet to give them a big hug.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Honestly, while Canada has its problems, I think there is hope for the place.

I hope you're right.

 

[Mr.V.]

Nawww...
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/americas/12/27/canada.crime.ap/
They blame us for it.

Even the guy who claims "It's a sign that the lack of gun laws in the U.S. is allowing guns to flood across the border that are literally being used to kill people in the streets of Toronto," Miller said.

Then goes on to say..."I think that gun violence is a symptom of a much bigger problem"

CNN missed this gem from another article: http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNe.../shootout_reaction_051230/20051230?hub=Canada
where the same mayor "Miller" calls for an all out handgun ban.

This is a classic terrible argument. "Handguns are to blame so we should ban them even though the real problem is something else."

Too bad more weren't like this guy from the CNN article though..."...Canada has a gang problem -- not a gun problem -- and that Canada should stop pointing the finger at the United States. 'It's a cop out. It's an easy way of looking at one symptom rather than addressing a whole disease,' Thompson said.

 

[Lionhill]

The political issue here is what happens when you have 3 levels of Gov't that are Liberal, City of Toronto, Province of Ontario and Federally (for now). They are all lying bags of ????. There is a (another of 76 total) RCMP investigation into the Liberal Gov't paying a lobby group, which then paid a gun control group, which in turn made a sizable donation back to the Liberal Party for their election fund. Very stinky affair as they are the manufacturers of the main policies of the 2 billion dollar gun registry - that has not worked out too well. And the source of the statistics that 1/2 of all handguns in crime come from legal owners.
This last stat has been shot down in flames in all media outlets, but these Liberal politicians still spew their bought and paid for information to back disarmament of the populace.

Liberals run amok.

I suggest Americans boycott Toronto until they come to their collective senses by booting the Fed Liberals, and in Nov 06 - booting mayor David Miller from Toronto. You can tell him yourself if you like: [email protected]

Canadian Gun owners are appreciative of our neighbours to the South, and appreciate your support in our time of political turmoil.

LH

 

[Lucky]

Far as I'm concerned Toronto and the country I want to live in can't share a gov't. They have the right to do whatever they want to themselves. And I demand the same, and that they leave me the heck alone. If we can't vote them out of the country, then I second Quebec's notion and want to vote myself out.

Far as I'm concerned it's crystal clear that violent crime is dependent on a disarmed populace, and we are as disarmed as you can get, not even pepper spray or stun guns or collapsible batons are legal. When my roommate and I got mice, we sucked it up and admitted it was because we left a food supply out. Once we cleaned up the pizza boxes it was easy to catch the last of the mice. I bet the same thing would happen if they approved ccw here; citizens would stop being 'food' for criminals.

 

[samsquanch]

I am a bit fed up of Toronto running the country, the gun regestry was a big joke/accomplished nothing, except wasting billions.
I hope with this election everyone uses their heads...

I worked for customs at a land border and was surprised how many of our southern neibours did not know they were not allowed to carry in Canada. Surprised me that they did not look into it before venturing into another country.